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Crockpot Beef Stew

The crockpot beef stew is a hearty soup made with tender beef, vegetables and savory seasonings simmered in the slow cooker. Itโ€™s a comforting dinner on a chill day!

beef stew in white bowl with rolls
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Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

This crockpot beef stew is made with tender chunks of beef and veggies that simmers in a soupy flavorful broth. Pair it with a basket of Lion House rolls and itโ€™s a hearty comfort food dinner just like my beef stroganoff or my beef noodle soup recipe.

Slow cooker recipes are a great way to get a weeknight dinner on the table with little effort. You set it and hours later when youโ€™re ready to eat, the aroma of a home cooked meal is permeating throughout your home. Other favorites include slow cooker beef bourguignon, beef tips and pot roast!

Recipe Ingredients

beef stew cooking in crockpot
  • Beef: Best is to use pre-cut beef stewing cubes or chuck. You can also cut it yourself, but donโ€™t use anything too lean as the fat helps flavor the soup.
  • Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, bay leaves and Italian seasoning.
  • Beef stock: I love the rich taste of beef stock, but beef broth works as well.
  • Tomato paste: Adds a balanced flavor to the broth.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Donโ€™t skip this! It adds so much savory flavor (umami)
  • Vegetables: Onion, baby potatoes, carrots and celery.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour to thicken the soup. Cornstarch could also be used.

Variations

  • I use beef stew meat for my recipes because it usually comes pre-cut, but go ahead and use beef chuck roast or sirloin tip cut into chunks if you like. Save short ribs for this braised beef short ribs recipe.
  • For a little depth of flavor try adding some red wine (the alcohol will cook off).
  • Add a little more veggies during the last hour of cooking. Frozen peas, corn, or sliced mushrooms are great.
  • Swap the Italian seasoning for thyme or oregano on its own.

How to Make Crockpot Beef Stew

Brown beef on all sides in a large skillet with some olive oil. Season beef with salt and pepper and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add beef stock, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce and seasonings to the skillet, simmer then add to the slow cooker.

Browning beef for stew in a skillet.

Add all vegetables to the crockpot ending with 2 bay leaves on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high heat.

Potatoes, carrots and celery in a crockpot with beef stock.

Make a flour thickener with a small amount of the beef stew liquid and flour. Then pour back into the slow cooker and cook an additional 30 minutes.

Crockpot beef stew in a slow cooker with a soup ladle.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew

  • A good sear. Donโ€™t skip the browning of the meat. When you sear the outside, it traps in the moisture, it adds incredible flavor and the brown bits it leaves behind add flavor to the broth.
  • Consistency of the broth. You can make the broth as thick or as thin as you like. Leave it completely soupy or start with a bit of flour to thicken it up. Want it even thicker like a gravy? Add more flour.
  • Best served warm. The great thing about this slow cooker beef stew recipe is that you can leave it on warm and have people serve themselves.
  • Flourless broth. Make this gluten-free and swap the flour for a cornstarch slurry.
beef stew in white crockpot

Best Sides for Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker

beef stew in white bowl

More beef recipes in the crockpot include this crockpot brisket recipe, crock pot Mississippi pot roast and beef barbacoa.

More Crockpot Soup Recipes to Try

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beef stew in white bowl

Crockpot Beef Stew

5 from 6 votes
โ†‘ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
The crockpot beef stew is a hearty soup made with tender beef, vegetables and savory seasonings simmered in the slow cooker. It's a comforting dinner on a chill day!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings:

Ingredients 

  • 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 pounds stewing beef , cut into large 1-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , more to taste
  • ยฝ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper , more to taste
  • 32 ounces beef stock , or broth
  • 2-3 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 small onion , diced
  • 1 pound baby potatoes , quartered
  • 4 carrots , peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 celery ribs , sliced thin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Brown beef. Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in large heavy saute pan or stock pot. Season 2 pounds stewing beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and then add to pan. Cook in 2 batches, until browned on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per batch. Put the meat in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Combine liquid and seasonings. Add 32 ounces beef stock, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste and 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce to the pot. Add 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Simmer for a couple minutes and scrape the bottom of the pan to get the bits. Pour the liquid from the pan into the slow cooker with the beef.
  • Add vegetables to crock pot. Add 1 onion, 1 pound quartered potatoes, 4 diced carrots and 4 thin sliced celery ribs to the slow cooker. Place 2 bay leaves on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Make flour thickener. In a small bowl whisk together 2-4 Tablespoons flour and 1/2 cup stew broth. Add more flour for a thicker stew. Then pour back into the slow cooker and cook an additional 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve. Serve while warm. Add fresh herbs on top if desired.

Notes

Variations:
If youโ€™d like to add in more vegetables, try adding the below the last hour of cooking. 
  • Add 1 cup frozen peas
  • Add 1 cup frozen corn
  • Add 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 900mg | Potassium: 1173mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 7019IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Donโ€™t forget to give it a star rating below!

FAQs

How to store leftovers?

You can keep stew in the refrigerator covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop until warmed through. If youโ€™re just reheating individual bowls, you can also reheat in the microwave.

Can I freeze slow cooker beef stew?

Stews that use flour (like this one) to thicken, can separate over time in the freezer. You can freeze it, just be aware that the potatoes may change their texture and youโ€™ll need to give it a good stir once it has had a chance to thaw.

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